Amidst disagreement, not only by the opposition MlAs but by one Congress legislator too, Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday passed ‘The Punjab State legislature (Prevention of Disquali
fication) (Amendment) Bill, 2018’ apparently to accommodate the ‘disgruntled’ Congress MlAs as chairpersons of boards and corporations.
With the enactment of a new law, the legislators can now hold several new categories of ‘Office of Profit’, protecting them from disqualification in certain additional cases of office of profit.
However, the MlAs have termed the move “unconstitutional” and one that bound to affect state’s “fiscal” position.
Congress MlA Randeep Singh Nabha, who had already protested against “ignoring the seniority” at the time of expanding the Cabinet, raised the concern that assurance should be given that law would not affect disqualification of membership of any MlA, while also making it clear that he was neither interested or wanted any post.
AAP MlA Aman Arora said that nothing could be more unfortunate that the government is amending laws to adjust its leaders while the farmers are dying and employees are protesting atop water-tanks.
BJP MlA dubbed it as an attempt to adjust its MlAs through “chor darwaza”, while AAP MlA Kultar Singh Sandhwan insisted on introducing MlA-lAD funds instead of adjusting leaders.
AAP MlA Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer asked the government to ensure that no MlA would ask for more salary or perks on getting any appointment other than his salary as MlA.
Terming the Bill as “totally unconstitutional” and a “backdoor entry”, AAP MlA Sukhpal Khaira said that it would soon be challenged in the courts. He also pointed that it would raise financial issues for the already bankrupt state.
Responding, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra clarified that there would no additional perks or salary than that of an MlA.
Notably, to pacify the growing resentment within the party, the Congress’ state leadership wanted to accommodate over a dozen of party leaders as the chairpersons of boards and corporations. Now with the amendments in the Bill, various categories of office of profit will be added to the current list of positions or offices which MlAs can hold without inviting disqualification.